Hits & Misses – Week 5: Pierre Garcon makes the list

Here are our “Hits” and “Misses” for week five, listing players you want to make sure are in your lineup, as well as those you might consider shelving for the week (or at least lowering your expectations!) As always, I’ve tried to leave the most obvious picks off the list, such as Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne’s scheduled abuse of the Titans secondary on Sunday night, so that I can save space for players that might have you scratching your head a little more. Anyways, here is your hits and misses for the week…

Quarterback

Hits

Misses

Matt Schaub, Texans @ ARI – Through just three games (they had a BYE last week), the Cardinals have given up seven passing touchdowns, four of which came at the hands of Peyton Manning. While Schaub is not Manning, he should still have some success, especially if Steve Slaton can get the ground game going.

Tom Brady, Patriots @ DEN – Should you bench Tom Brady? Probably not, unless you have a very appealing alternative (none are coming to mind), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t temper your expectations as the Patriots head to Denver to take on a very tough Broncos defense. If you didn’t agree that the Cowboys were Denver’s first real challenge this year, it’d be hard to deny classifying them as one of the top defenses in the league if they can handle New England.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers @ DET – While the Lions gave up a whole lot less yardage than I predicted against Jay Cutler and the Bears last week, they still gave up touchdowns and have now given up 12 this season! Until their redzone defense can step it up a few notches, any quarterback that plays Detroit is going to find themselves on the “hit” list…and this week it’s Big Ben.

Matt Ryan, Falcons @ SF – If you were playing against a guy who had the San Francisco defense last week, you know first hand what they’re capable of. While the Rams offense is a bit more inept than the Falcons, the 49ers should still handle them with ease. Expect a rough day for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta receivers.

Tony Romo, Cowboys @ KC – Through the first four games Romo has only throw four touchdowns (compared to four interceptions.) He severely misses having T.O. to distract everyone (on the field AND off), but this game could take his mind off of that as he plays a Chiefs team that is giving up two passing scores a game. He’ll get his 250 yards and a couple touchdowns and everyone can give him the week off from the criticism he usually takes.

Kerry Collins, Titans vs IND – You weren’t going to start Collins this week were you? Let’s pretend you never had that idea creep into your head if you indeed were thinking about it. The Colts have given up two touchdowns through the air this year and the only way the Titans are going to break their losing streak is to get the running game going…in a BIG way.

Running Back

Hits

Misses

Clinton Portis, Redskins @ CAR – Portis has had to fight hard for all of his 281 yards so far this season, with only one run longer than 14 yards. This week he should be rewarded for his efforts, as he gets to play the Panthers, who have been one of the worst teams in the league in terms of stopping the run. I don’t see 100 yards and his first touchdown of the season being unreasonable.

Steven Jackson, Rams vs MIN – Not unlike Portis, Jackson has also had to battle for every yard he’s gotten this year in an offense that consists of zero other real threats. Unfortunately for Steven, he has to play a solid run defense that hasn’t allowed a running back to score all season.

Brandon Jacobs, Giants vs OAK – With his backup (Ahmad Bradshaw) nursing a foot injury and the Raiders being halfway decent against the pass, the Giants should lean on Jacobs this week to carry the team. Expect Brandon to hit the century mark for the first time this season.

Kevin Smith, Lions vs PIT – While the Steelers defense has suffered some key injuries, they’ve still held it together against the run. Kevin Smith has done a decent job for Detroit this season, but I have a bad feeling about his chances this week against a Steelers defense that is surrendering under 60 yards a week to tailbacks.

Fred Jackson, Bills vs CLE – This could be his last chance to show that he’s worthy of the starter role, as Marshawn Lynch begins taking over that spot for the Bills. Jackson has a great matchup this week against the Browns, who have given up around 150 yards and two touchdowns per game this year to running backs.

Donald Brown, Colts @ TEN – As bad as the Titans are against the pass, they’re very good against the run (their record wouldn’t make you think so though!) Tennessee is currently allowing around 2.7 yards per carry and I’m thinking this game will be all about Peyton Manning.

Wide Receiver

Hits

Misses

DeSean Jackson, Eagles vs TB – In the two games heading into the BYE week, Jackson combined for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Now he comes back nice and fresh to play the Buccaneers, who have struggled to stop wide receivers all season and have given up eight touchdowns to the position.

Randy Moss, Patriots @ DEN – The Broncos and Falcons are the only teams that have not allowed a wide receiver to find the endzone this season. With Champ Bailey hounding him all day, this could be a game where Moss is used more as a decoy and New England uses the short game with Wes Welker and running backs out of the backfield.

Santonio Holmes, Steelers @ DET – Holmes isn’t the most consistent receiver out there, but he’s got a great matchup with the Lions. Last time he played one of the worst pass defenses in the league (week 1), he put up 131 yards and a score. I’d expect something almost that good this week.

Brandon Marshall, Broncos vs NE – While the Broncos are busy shutting down Randy Moss, the Patriots will work their magic on the Broncos formerly disgruntled, star wide receiver. Unless Marshall can run more short patterns like Derrick Mason did last week, don’t expect a lot of production this week.

Pierre Garcon, Colts @ TEN – For an 0-4 team with pass defense problems, the Colts are the LAST team you want to play against. Peyton Manning should have a field day on prime-time Sunday night and Garcon (and maybe Collie too) should benefit greatly. Get him in your lineup as your WR3 or even possibly a WR2 depending on your other wide outs.

Ted Ginn, Dolphins vs NYJ – Ginn has been non-existent the past two weeks and this week things won’t get any easier for him. Keep him on your bench until he breaks out of this funk he’s in.

Tight End

Hits

Misses

Dallas Clark, Colts @ TEN – The Titans have just been awful against the pass this year, whether it’s wide receivers OR tight ends running wild. Clark is one of the top TE’s in the league, so you can imagine how this should play out.

Tony Gonzalez, Falcons @ SF – After two big weeks to start the season, Gonzo was shut down by the Patriots. After a BYE week, he returns to play another top-tier defense that is capable of shutting down the tight end position. While it’s tough to sit someone of his caliber, you might at least lower your expectations this week.

I actually disagree with you concerning the Matt Ryan advice, for one major reason: Atlanta had a bye week. Matt Ryan has already proven himself to be a master student in the film room, and he’s had plenty of time to study up on the SF defense. Add this to the fact that 60% of teams coming off a bye week win, regardless of home-field advantage, and I’m comfortable putting Ryan in at QB.

We’ll see, but he’s still averaging only 216 yards per game and unless he gets a couple of touchdowns, his numbers might not be quite what you’re expecting. I’m not saying to bench him (see the introduction), but there’s no reason to automatically put him in your lineup if you have a better alternative.

Seeing as how Randy Moss is up against a wall in this next game, I have an interesting choice to make. Do I keep him in assuming he’ll get a big play or two and come out with decent points or do I put in Mike Sims-Walker who is looking quite consistent so far?

Wow Wolf, thats crazy. I have the exact same WR core, and the exact same debate – Welker (only 3 WR). I am as of now starting Moss/Smith/Walker, w/ H. Ward on the Bench. Personally my big question is whether to start Ward or Moss.

I benched Ward last week and played Vincent Jackson.. and of course Ward had a great game over 100 yards.. and Jackson was a bit of a flop. I’ve played Ward every other game and love his consistency. I’ll probably go with Moss knowing that he can definitely find the endzone on big plays and even though most of the balls will go to the others.. there will definitely be a few getting through to him. (I just can’t let there be a chance that Moss has a great game on my bench!)

Ah, I have posed this question to you Brandon earlier to which you gave a great answer, but now with Marshall on your Miss list and his potentnial replacement changing from Gage to Britt, still start Marshall ahead of Kenny Britt.

do people not realize that garcon is mannings number 3 guy……i agree about holmes and jackson but what about T.O vs. cleveland he has had a rough start but cleveland isn’t necessarily the strongest team out there

I think people realize Garcon is Manning’s number three guy…in fact he shares that role with Austin Collie. As I mention in the introduction of the post, I try to list some names of players who might be causing people to debate whether to play them or not, not list guys who they’re going to start no matter if I list them or not (Reggie Wayne, etc.)

I’m in hot water when it comes to RB’s this week. While I do have Adrian Peterson (must start against the Rams), I have Bradshaw, Kevin Smith, Ricky Williams, and Donald Brown and don’t know which 2 out of that crew to start. Am I just going to have a rough week?

While he was nursing a foot/ankle injury all week, I think Ahmad Bradshaw should be a safe play with a solid matchup (just check up on him on game day to ensure he plays.) As for the other spot, they all have tough match-ups (Smith – PIT, Brown – TEN, and Williams – NYJ.) I’d go with Ricky Williams and hope he can find the endzone.

Hi, Brandon. Thanks for the great work. I have Brady and Big Ben, and I’ve keep starting Brady while Ben edges him every week, so I’m definitely going with Ben this time. If you don’t mind, tell me what you think of this: I have to start three WRs this week, and I have Boldin, Santonio, Sims-Walker and Garcon (and that’s not even considering Sidney Rice on my bench). Am I totally crazy for considering starting Garcon over one of the other three? S-W has been money every week, and Boldin and Santonio have great matchups, but… I just get the feeling Garcon will have a day that will far exceed one of those guys. :-0

I would stick to your starters there, with Boldin, Holmes and Sims-Walker. While Garcon and the rest of the Indy has a great match-up with Tennessee, the only guy I would consider sitting for him would be Santonio Holmes, but he also has a great match-up this week and is also on the “hit” list. If Garcon blows up this week, you will have a tougher decision to make in the future, but I think for now you’re save with your big 3.

As for the QB position, this would be a great week to start Big Ben over Brady, but I think going forward you’re going to still want Brady in there in most cases and his numbers should continue to improve all season.

I have forte + rodgers on byes, Im starting big ben for rodgers and mendenhall for forte pick 1 rb westbrook,benson, or lynch. Also is playing s. holmes risky already starting 2 steelers. I also have sims-walker b. marshall thanks for your input

Westbrook is healthy and will likely have his way with the terrible TB run defense, so I’d start him over almost anyone this week. I wouldn’t worry about starting three Steelers, since you picked the right three. 🙂

I can only start 2 receivers and one receiver or running back. I am currently starting Moss and Sims-Walker and Coffee in the receiver/running back position. I’ve got Crotchery and Garcon on the bench. Thoughts on Crotchery? He’s been solid every week but the rookie QB and the new receiver makes me nervous.

Cotchery has been solid for me and it seems he and Sanchez have that “chemistry”. Success with edwards remains to be seen but I think it could open up the doors further for Cotchery since many pass defenses may key on Edwards.

If you’re feeling a bit risky, you might actually start Pierre Garcon, who has a great match-up against the Titans. Cotchery should do alright, but with Braylon Edwards coming to town, it’ll be interesting to see the impact on Cotchery. Either way though, Cotchery or Garcon should put up solid stats for your team. Do you need to bench Moss (Randy or Santana?) or Sims-Walker to play Cotchery or Garcon though?

Wow, great receivers…just with bad matchups this week. I’d go with Randy Moss as he’s more likely to be used in redzone situations. Marshall has to score on long passing plays as the team goes to the running backs near the goal-line, however, the Patriots are great at preventing long scoring plays by receivers this year.

im thinking of starting steve breaston over slaton. i think he will be large aspect of the cardinals offense this week, but what do you think? will slaton put up more points against a stingy cardinals run-d. or will breaston rack up the catch yard points in a leauge with a point per ten yards

Slayton no brainer. A lot of people think Arizona is going to do great but Warner is hurt and so is breaston. Warner is going to get about 250 yds, 2 TD’s if he stays in the game. I dont see him going past the half